username

American  

[yoo-zer-neym] / ˈju zərˌneɪm /

noun

Computers.

usernames plural

1. Also called sign-in name,.  Also called login name,.  Also called sign-on name.  Also called logon name,.  a unique sequence of characters used to identify a user and allow access to a computer system, computer network, or online account.

2. the part of an email address before the @ sign.

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username British  

/ ˈjuːzəˌneɪm /

noun

1. computing a name that someone uses for identification purposes when logging onto a computer, using chatrooms, or as part of his or her e-mail address

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• usernames
  plural

Etymology

Origin of username

First recorded in 1970–75; user ¹ ( def. ) + name ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

username usernames

India has asked Meta to hold off launching its username feature on WhatsApp in the world's most populous country, citing concerns over fraud and impersonation, media reports said Thursday.

From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026

Valentin-Rios was also able to create a second Snapchat account with the username “Nocits21g” to connect with J.F. and to conceal the activity from his girlfriend, according to the lawsuit.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 25, 2026

Shortly afterwards, the account changed its username and has not placed any bets since.

From BBC ● Apr. 19, 2026

Ilyas Lebleu, an A.I. research student based in France who edits Wikipedia under the username Chaotic Enby, first wrote the proposal that was debated and adopted as the site’s A.I. ban.

From Slate ● Apr. 1, 2026

Phone Friend was pulled up on my screen— their username was EyesOnTheSky_Traveler—but I hadn’t added them to my friend list yet.

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows

"There is a possibility that bad actors may claim usernames... and message other users while pretending to be someone they are not," the English-language daily quoted a senior government official as saying.

From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026

Meta said the feature was not yet live in India and that it had already reserved usernames for public figures and verified accounts.

From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026

WhatsApp is set to let people chat without having to reveal their phone number - by exchanging unique usernames instead.

From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026

How annoying would it be to lose a job, and computer access, then have to reset a slew of usernames and passwords on top of everything?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 18, 2025

I look at her cell, and yes, there are some names I recognize, because they have some ego-driven usernames that they mix in with the instrument they play.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold